MIDA, kerosene and water: and other racisms

[The MIDA incident and the national discussion of “hate speech”, ethno-nationalism and the implied racism against Indo-Fijians, needs to be balanced by discussion of Indo-Fijian racism, which has been rarely discussed in public, yet is pertinent.

This post has two parts:

Part I Raising indigenous concerns is not necessarily racism

Part II What of Indo-Fijian racism against Fijians?

The third part follows in another post:

Part III Internal Indo-Fijian racisms are also “a fact of life”.]

The Chairman (Mr Ashwin Raj) of the Fiji Media Industry Development Authority (MIDA) has opened a veritable Pandora’s Box of questions, with his reaction over the alleged “hate speech” by a Fijian leader, Ratu Timoci Vesikula, who was apparently giving advice to Rear Admiral Bainimarama on his campaign trail in his own province, Tailevu.

Was the Chairman of MIDA (Mr Ashwin Raj) making his judgment from some English translation of Vesikula’s speech? If so, how accurate was the translation as there are different versions circulating?

It is still not clear to the public what exactly were Ratu Vesikula’s words that could be reasonably construed to be “hate speech”, even after Mr Raj’s explanations on the FBC TV program “4 The Record”.

How reasonable in law is it that the MIDA Chairman can be prosecutor, judge and jury of third parties like Fiji TV (the “reporter” of the speech) even BEFORE the speaker and alleged culprit has been charged and found guilty of “hate speech” under current Fiji laws?

Could a mere 3 minute airing by Fiji TV of what Ratu Vesikula said, be accurately called “unfettered coverage” as Mr Raj claimed?

Could the fact that Bainimarama’s response to Vesikula was not immediately aired by Fiji TV, be reasonably called “unbalanced coverage” by Fiji TV, when most of Bainimarama’s speech at that Tailevu meeting was reported?

Could Fiji TV be accused of unbalance media coverage over just this 3 minute news item, when it is abundantly clear that in any one week or month, Fiji TV gives probably thirty times more coverage to Bainimarama, Khaiyum and other Ministers, than they do to the views of opposing politicians or traditional leaders like Ratu Vesikula?

Is MIDA going to ensure that every time Bainimarama, Khaiyum or other Government Minister gets media exposure, that the media will be required to immediately give similar exposure to the opposition?

Is MIDA’s demand that all political speeches in the vernaculars be translated into English consistent with the human right of citizens, and politicians and voters, to communicate with each other in their own languages, without being forced to translate into English?

Is Mr Ashwin Raj exhibiting some preconceived attitudes of his own when he defensively admonished the media:

“my decision this morning cannot be misconstrued as an impingement of freedom of expression or dismissed as yet another instance of gagging media freedom by MIDA as has been insinuated by some who are posturing as the praetorian guard of human rights but sadly very quiet over the issue of hate speech”. (my emphasis).

[Those who search for the meaning of “praetorian guard” may reach the interesting conclusion that for the last eight years in Fiji, there has been only one set of praetorian guards, paid for by taxpayers, protecting a political emperor, for all of whom protecting human rights may be of little importance].

It would be wrong for critics to humorously brush off this MIDA incident as an example of yet another Don Quixote tilting at windmills in a Fiji which seems to provide a fertile ground for the unfettered (nice word, that) flexing of powers.

BUT, there are three other important ongoing issues that this MIDA/Vesikula incident raises, which will continue to surface in the run-up to the September election and beyond, and need to be discussed by the public to put this MIDA incident in its proper perspective.

1. Was Ratu Vesikula legitimately raising indigenous Fijian concerns about indigenous Fijians systematically lagging behind in education and commerce, as allowed under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which concerns cannot be classified as “racism” (Part I of this article).

2. It would seem that racism against Indo-Fijians was exercising the mind of the MIDA Chairman when he quite extraneously compared Ratu Vesikula’s statement to that by Asenaca Caucau, a former SDL Minister, who had derogatively referred to Indo-Fijians as “weeds”. To balance this picture, we also need to acknowledge the racism by Indo-Fijians against indigenous Fijians (Part II of this article).

3. We also need to acknowledge the pervasive INTERNAL racisms amongst Indo-Fijian groups such as Gujarati/Hindustani, North Indian/South Indian, upper caste/lower castes, Hindus/Muslims, fair-skinned/dark-skinned and religious bigotry for whom also, “race is a fact of life”, not dissimilar to Ratu Vesikula’s view of Fijian and Indo-Fijian relations (however inaccurate). (Part III of this article).

If Fiji is to build a genuinely multi-racial society then we need to recognize ALL racisms, and not just target indigenous Fijians, as is the current vogue for a small coterie of powerful individuals in the Bainimarama Regime.

Part I Concern for indigenous rights is not necessarily “hate speech”.

Having read the media releases by MIDA and also viewed the FBC program “4 the Record” on Sunday night (6 April 2014) in which Mr Ashwin Raj was interviewed and allowed to explain his decision for half an hour, I was no wiser as to what actually Ratu Vesikula had said that might be construed as “hate speech” against Indo-Fijians.

Going by the various translations circulating, Ratu Vesikula is supposed to have warned Bainimarama (with my personal views in parenthesis) that

* most indigenous Fijians would like to support Bainimarama (debatable)

* other communities will not support Bainimarama (quite wrong)

* Indo-Fijians cared only about the Constitution (quite wrong)

* Indo-Fijians cared only about their investments (valid only for the business classes, but for all races, including Fijians)

* Indo-Fijians will want to “pacify and assuage” Bainimarama to get whatever they want (valid for all races)

* that Fijians had lost their special FAB scholarships and were disadvantaged in the Toppers scholarship program (quite valid)

* that Fijians were concerned about their rights to marine qoliqoli resources (quite valid)

* that “race is a fact of life” (generally valid in Fiji) (Part II of this article)

* that “kerosene and water do not mix” (Vesikula is entitled to his views, but Part II and III of this article suggests that significant progress is being made, especially by our younger people).

Raising indigenous concerns is not racism

Indo-Fijians need to look at Fiji through the eyes of indigenous Fijian leaders like Vesikula and understand their genuine deep fears: that they may lose control over their land and marine resources, lose political leadership, lose their cultural identity, and in the only country in the world where they can realistically hope to preserve these for posterity.

While accepting the fundamental equality of all peoples the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

– recognizes the historical marginalization of indigenous peoples the world over

– recognizes the need to respect and promote the rights of indigenous peoples affirmed in historical treaties and constructive agreements with the state.

– recognizes the right of indigenous peoples to organize themselves as a group for political, economic, social and cultural enhancements.

– encourages states to enhance indigenous peoples rights through consultation (not through force)

Article 5 states clearly that indigenous people “have the right to maintain and strengthen their distinct political, legal, economic, social and cultural institutions”.

Indeed, many of the actions taken by the Bainimarama Regime in forcing changes on Fijian people and institutions without their agreement, contradicts the above UN Declaration.

Of current relevance is that much of Ratu Timoci Vesikula’s concerns above, would be accepted as legitimate concerns of marginalized indigenous Fijians, as recognized by the United Nations.

Of course, none of the above would ever justify the physical violence against Indo-Fijians in the coups of 1987 or 2000, or periodic “hate speech” or the threatening of violence by racist politicians over the years, such as Butadroka.

Kerosene and water don’t mix?

Does Ratu Vesikula’s statement that “kerosene and water do not mix” amount to “hate speech”?

It is not stated which ethnic group was intended by Ratu Vesikula to be the “kerosene” and which “water”: both seem to be essential to the lives of indigenous Fijians, especially in the rural areas.

Of course, it is historically correct that Indo-Fijians and indigenous Fijians have not inter-married much in Fiji, partly discouraged by the British colonial policies of “divide and rule”, and surely also partly because of cultural and dietary differences.

But they certainly has been considerable “mixing” in both urban and rural areas, and even more inter-marriages are taking place today, especially among the young.

The public waits for Mr Ashwin Raj to clarify what exactly he saw as the “hate speech” by Ratu Timoci Vesikula (in Fijian and in the translation) and whether Fiji’s courts would make the same conclusion as the MIDA Chairman .

But we Indo-Fijians should also acknowledge first, that while we have faced the overt racism of 1987 and 2000, we also have our own covert historical racism towards indigenous Fijians (Part II here), and second, we are also plagued by all-pervasive internal racisms which are seldom aired publicly (Part III).

Both these expressions of racism could easily be included in the “hate speech” category, that the Chairman of MIDA talked about on the FBC program, “4 The Record”.

Part II Indo-Fijian racism against Fijians

The Chairman of MIDA justified his reactions with reference to a Bainimarama Decree which is part of his justification for his 2006 coup- to eliminate the racism by Fijian ethno-nationalists against Indo-Fijians. Most Indo-Fijians are in support of this.

The Real Overt Fijian racism against Indo-Fijians

For the record, most indigenous Fijian political leaders have never appreciated the deep sense of vulnerability amongst Indo-Fijians, who have been told for a century that they are “vulagi” (visitors) despite a lifetime of work and service to Fiji, and which explains their support of Bainimarama.

In the coups of 1987 and 2000, Indo-Fijian houses were burnt and innocent people, including the lawfully elected governments and ministers, assaulted and terrorized.

Indo-Fijians felt discrimination in civil service jobs and scholarships. They suffered social trauma as emigration tore apart thousands of families (even if many benefited materially).

Even after the 2000 coups, Indo-Fijians were hurt when no SDL Leader rebuked one lady Minister in their government who scoffed that Indians were “weeds” (she never expressed any unhappiness when taught by this Indian “weed” at USP).

It is largely for this message and their suffering in the coups of 1987 and 2000 that the majority of Indo-Fijians support Bainimarama.

It is telling that most Indo-Fijian leaders have supported Bainimarama: Fiji Labor Party (initially), heads of religious and social organizations, senior judges, university vice chancellors, senior civil servants, business and professionals, and a raft of former international bureaucrats.

Also influential on Indo-Fijians has been a whole army of Indo-Fijian writers- Satendra Nandan, Subramani, Thakur Ranjit Singh and Rajendra Prasad- who keep publicizing the racism against Indo-Fijians, and idolizing Bainimarama.

But none of these writers ever recognized the magnanimity of the Fijian people in leasing their land to Indo-Fijian tenant farmers for more than a generation.

None of these writers ever recognized the magnanimity of Rabuka and his SVT Government in freely revising the racist 1990 Constitution which gave them total control, into the 1997 Constitution which included the Multi-Party Government provision- an incredible political gift, totally unappreciated by the political leaders (except for Mr Jai Ram Reddy) of the ever-declining Indo-Fijian minority in Fiji.

Few, if any, of these Indo-Fijian leaders or writers have ever criticized the Indo-Fijian racism against Fijians, or the internal Indo-Fijian racisms, which are far more pervasive than the overt racism by Fijians against Indo-Fijians, even if they do not give rise to physical violence.

Indo-Fijian racism against Fijians

Ignored in the political discourse today is the historical Indo-Fijian racism against indigenous Fijians.

Indo-Fijians love to contrast their alleged three thousands of “civilization” in India, to the mere one hundred years for indigenous Fijians. [Indo-Fijians conveniently forget the barbaric mutual slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Hindus and Muslims, after partition into India and Pakistan, a mere sixty years ago].

At Indo-Fijian gatherings one can still hear the terms “junglee” (of the jungle) or “rakshas” (demons) used to describe indigenous Fijians.

Or there is a joking reference to their “terda baal” (implying “Fijians will never learn anything until their hair straightens out”).

While a few Indo-Fijian males are now marrying Fijian women, it is still extremely rare to find Indo-Fijian women marrying Fijian males.

Of course, indigenous Fijians can be racist towards Indo-Fijians as well, in ways more subtle than coups, house burning or physical assaults of ordinary citizens.

Most Indo-Fijians would be shocked to discover that Fijians often insult other Fijians by calling them “kaidia“- implying “a person without respect for protocol, politeness, or vanua”, or who allegedly possesses all the undesirable traits that Fijians supposedly do not have- such as being selfish and mamaagi (miserly).

[But I note that while “generosity” may seem obvious in the Fijian practice of “giving and sharing”, the rigid expectation of reciprocity, can also be a beautiful disguise for selfishness].

Ultimately, Fiji’s historians will find it difficult to support allegations of Fijian political inferiority, when it is abundantly clear that most Fijian political leaders (including Bainimarama) have run rings around Indo-Fijian politicians.

Sociologists and anthropologists would also find it difficult to argue that that the incredibly rich indigenous Fijian culture is in any way inferior to local Indo-Fijian culture or that of kaivalagi or kailoma.

The frequent blog allegations that a prominent Bainimarama supporter is planning to implement the “Sunset Clause” on indigenous Fijians and their culture, has very little substance. The increasingly globalized Fijian people are more likely to erode their own culture of their free will.

[Although, I note an interesting trend for globalized Fijians to use the Internet, Facebook and various sites, to strengthen their culture and language, where previously the isolation in a far off land would have implied an inevitable erosion. What a great topic for scholarly research].

A factual assessment of life in Fiji, the reality that most would prefer to gloss over. Racism or racial stereo typing is a norm not only in Fiji but the world over. But it should not be construed as hate speech.

when there is intra-ethnic prejudice/racism/discrimination why should anyone not expect inter-ethnic prejudice/racism/discrimination?
but Fiji in contrast to many other countries was a good example of multiracial harmony.
not perfect by any means ( nobody should expect perfection in any case) but certainly better than most.
it even impressed the Pope in 1986 , remember?
the focus on race hate as the primary source of our country’s political troubles is a red herring.

Kudos to Prof Narsey who once again skins to the bare bones some harsh realities of race relations in Fiji. These words are a timely reminder that we all owe it to the nation that we all love to work harder in order to understand each other better, and remain united in the face of 7-8 years of tyranny wrought upon us by the illegal and treasonous regime.

The onus is on voters NOT to get played by politicians nor any of their divide & rule attempts and demand change at the ballot box. It will be too late post 17 September to wail and wring your hands in coulda, woulda, shoulda been’s if you inherit a government you do not want and did nothing to bring about change.

We need each other more than we realise and it does not end at the elections. All voters and taxpayers will need to work harder to get Fiji out of the doldrums economically and the love of our country must remain the unifying force.

‘A land of Freedom, Hope and Glory to endure what’er befalls — for Fiji ever Fiji’.

thanks Wadan for the full analysis on the topic of racism from both sides of the fences and the fences within the fences,,,,wow its sad. But you can’t fix it if you don’t know it! Lets face it not ignore it and fix it.

While ADHD MIDA modri weasel is busy polishing his infantile shiny ball-head under our scorching island sun, the world’s gaze rests on India as she heads the world’s largest elections starting today. How exciting! With over 800 million eligible voters (phew! mind boggling nbrs), the Indians will however competently wrap up what’s going to prove to be a game-changing election in many decades, all within the next 5 weeks.

Aptly described as the “Modi Wave”, a tea boy whose father was a stall tea seller is poised to take the highest office of the land: Narendra Modi, a strong leader to be reckoned with but a a very interesting man no doubt.

Btw, below’s an interesting article on India’s waning love affair with the yankees under BO. Did you know that the highest number of deportations of undocumented migrant workers living in the US ever, happened under Obama’s leadership? What a racist slime ball he’s proving to be?

when Fijians work hard and become rich or lead a luxurious lifestyle FB calls them “elitist” and supposedly made their money through corrupt practice. But i haven’t heard FB saying the same to rich Indian businessmen and women who have made millions in Fiji. IN fact these rich Indians (and Chinese from China who give cash to FB) are the ones financing FB for this election. The businesses have never had it so easy under FB because they get what they want very easily and over dinner with FB or just a phone call. There are only a very few of these businessmen in Fiji and they will make sure FB stays in power BUT they will also give some money to other parties in case FB doesn’t win. This is how they operate. I am sure FB now realizes what he has gotten himself into. Welcome to politics FB.

As much as I agree with Wadan, he is also falling in the same bottomless pit as Ratu Meli Vesikula.

After all, Vesikula was a leading light (darkness) on Peoples Charter and is a ball boy of Bainimarama.

The Indo-Fijians did not introduce race into the coming election – it was Vesikula who introduced it at the Tailevu Provincial Council meeting.

It just proves my point and my exhortation to Wadan, Victor and other Fijian ball shiners to jump ship and join Frank and his vision of Fiji!

Anyway, Vesikula will, come September, know who are the REAL SNAKES in the Fijian grass – if Bainimarama’s Fiji First Party wins the election, it will be the native Fijians who would have made it possible.

Then this loud mouth wannabe chief from Verata will have to shut up and stop ranting about Indo-Fijians!

Mark my word – this bastard will be offered a post in Frank’s post-election Cabinet!

He will tell his people and other misguided Fijians that he is UP THERE in the Cabinet to protect indigenous rights and to extract further lollies from Frank’s government.

Pity, ordinary Fijians and elite Fijians can’t see through this Frank supporter!

After all, he, Yabaki, Mahend and countless others, not to mention the 3,000 Fijian soldiers, who gave their arses to Frank to assault on what Fijians claim is dear and near to their hearts!

OH, DEAR, no, no deer run too fast!

Vesikula is a deer who will run as fast as possible with Frank if Fiji First Party wins the September election.

Mark my word, native Fijians! So stop praising and supporting this bloody opportunist of a chief.

As an Indo-Fijian, I support everything Wadan says. Racism cuts both ways. My Indo-Fijian brethren are not very introspective, they only feel and notice when they are victims of racism. they totally oblivious when they are being racist. There is a saying in Hindi…jab appan ghar me jaye, tab khali pirae. Translation, only when stick is going up your behind, you feel the pain – meaning you do not feel pain you inflict on others pain. We Indians very quick to cry racism. well, we are racist too. A little bit more sensitivity and understanding and appreciation will do us Indo-Fijians a lot of good. there are vile racists on Fijian side too. But there are god people on both sides, they should fight against this. when all this is over Wadan deserves a medal.

Wadan might be right but the main point here is that Indo-Fijians have not incited their people to rise up and burn down Suva and trash every native Fijian in sight!

Prejudice exists among every race, community, and class; native Fijians will be very coy of marrying outside their own tribal classes, and just can’t barge in and build a bure in any village just because, as they claim, Fiji belongs to them.

What Wadan is doing is distracting the main focus of revulsion – that of the words of Timoci Vesikula who had no reason to drag Indo-Fijians into his complaints

Why didnt he ask Frank why he went along with Indo-Fijians and overthrew a predominantly native Fijian government of Qarase. he did not because the bastard was party to it

what about the racism of the part European? who until recently thought of themselves as whites and inherited the racism of the white colonialists who regarded Indians as racially and intellectually inferior people.
a lot of part Europeans kailoma were happy when the stick was going up the behind of the Indians during the Rabuka coup.
racism in fiji cuts many ways…

Thanks to the learned Professor who has really made a meal of racism Fiji style in this article! Yes – aptly interwoven with Fiji’s social and cultural DNA is the racial differences and discrimination that abound in it – they are just part of Fiji’s reality, a nature of its lifestyle – the difference and diversity that distinguishes one group from another, that isolates a group from another and seemingly marginalizes one compared to the other! So lets use the kerosene for the fire to boil water for the tea we can all drink together!!

Wadan Narsey does not know the difference between ‘racism’ and ‘prejudice’. USP’s Sociology 101 is recommended.

Every ethnic group is likely to favour its own members and may look down on other ethnic groups. That is ‘prejudice’ which is common, though objectionable.

But ‘racism’ is a different concept. Racism is defined as ‘prejudice’ that is permitted, facilitated and implemented by the nation state where the government uses state power and control to transform human prejudice into state policy (eg apartheid in Sth Africa or Nazism in Germany). That is why after World War II the UN drafted its ‘Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)’. Fiji signed CERD and has to abide by its tenets. If prejudice is expressed by a dominant group that holds political power in the state – defined as either the traditional state (the chiefly system) or the modern state (parliamentary system)- that is ‘racism’ and unlawful. Vesikula and Kotobalavu are included in the 2nd category. These are are sentiments they held when they were officials in the Fijian state and implemented such policies; they obviously still think the same. They should have been prosecuted in the past and should be now. ‘Hate speech’ is prohibited by international law- defined as ‘speech inciting hatred towards any minority group’. If anti-semitism can be seen as racist, so can anti-Indian speeches whether by Caucau or Vesikula. Vesikula’s speech and MIDA’s response should be seen for what they both are. There is no excuse for being ill-informed and under-educated about these things in election year.

Anon 4.21 pm makes a valid criticism.
Hate speech is outlawed under international law and he/she is right to say people making it should be prosecuted.
what does international law say about treason and torture?
should the people who committed treason and tortured citizens be prosecuted?
why the selective use of the law?
In the Fiji context a lot of the “hate speech” is just hot air and its best to ignore it rather than bring the whole paraphrenalia of the justice system to deal with it.
Treason and torture of course is not something to be ignored – although some would clearly like us to do THAT!

in other words why all the cock jerk reaction against some lousy “hate speech” maker but none against usurpers and torturers by the same cock jerkers?
why the silence? or worse, why the support for them?

Sadly, instead of allowing the regime to take Vesikula, Bainimarama supporter to task for attacking Indo-Fijians in an unprovoked call, Wadan Narsey, distracted the whole issue by bringing in divisions and prejudice of the Indo-Fijians – that is what this idiot of a man has done – why call him Professor – he doesnt have a job except is seen laying golf with Rabuka on Saturdays

Thanks for the useful elaboration of the difference between “prejudice” and “racism” and your advice to go back to school. I WAS thinking of enrolling at USP, not for SO102 but some courses in literature and language. As a relative of a staff member, I would be paying a fraction of the fees (very useful for an unemployed professor) and I would also be eligible to stand for the Student Association Executive and perhaps, even be nominated to USP Council as a student representative. I wonder though what effect it would have on the sleeping patterns of the Head Honcho at USP.

At the end of the day…Bainimaras policy/constitution dictates that the Govt will control everything from Economics – Culture. Fiji will give birth to North Korea policy. This election will no doubt bring to bear another destructive wave of Racism. The fact is that indo-Fijians dont trust I-taukei and vice versa and that will last another lifetime. Thats the truth about Fiji and its people for this up coming election.

Wadan narsey, please come back to USP as a student. We will elect you USPSA president tomorrow. We need a strong voice a the council. The VC we have had for the last six years is waste time. he is running place to the ground. Council turning blind eye as they do not want the complication. They just want wine and dine. We really hope you come back Wadan.

Prof Wadan Narsey. Like many commentators on these blogs and thousands of people all over Fiji and around the world, please know how much we appreciate your courage, wisdom, knowledge, experience and intellectual gifts. Moreover, thank you for inspiring many of us to stand up, to speak up and to engage in positive discussions and reflections on matters and issues that really matter.

It is very obvious that you are a man of high principles and you love your country. You have demonstrated beyond a shadow of doubt that right here in Fiji, there are people of great minds and wonderful hearts and who have a clear vision of where we should be heading as a nation. Your analysis on the economy is always a breath of hope and a light to see through the veil. Your commentaries on various issues have always been timely, relevant, stimulating, enlightening and inspiring. Your teaching and publications at USP have been appreciated by many of us. Fiji is so blessed to have you as one of its brightest and shining stars.

You have our gratitude, our respect and our sincere appreciation. You, your dear wife and family also have our constant prayers. We thank God for you and your family. May God bless you my brother. I believe you have been God’s instrument of peace, inspiration and political sanity for Fiji during such a time as this. Vinaka vakalevu.